If you’ve ever seen photos of people in Japan throwing beans at someone dressed like a demon, that’s Setsubun. It’s a loud, funny, slightly chaotic tradition with a serious purpose underneath, chasing away bad luck and welcoming a clean start.
Setsubun is one of those seasonal events that still feels very “everyday Japan.” You’ll see it in homes, schools, shrines, and supermarkets all at once.
What Is Setsubun and When Is Setsubun 2026?
Setsubun (節分) literally means “seasonal division.” Traditionally, it marked the day before the start of a new season. Over time, the one that stuck became the Setsubun before spring, because spring was treated like the beginning of a fresh new cycle.
In modern Japan, Setsubun is basically a good luck reset button. People do simple rituals to push out misfortune and invite good fortune. It’s not complicated, but it’s deeply familiar to most Japanese households.
Setsubun 2026 is on February 3, 2026.
How Is Setsubun Celebrated?
Setsubun is usually celebrated in a few classic ways, and you’ll often see families doing more than one.
Bean Throwing (Mamemaki)
This is the main event. Someone in the family plays the oni, basically a demon or ogre, usually wearing a store bought mask, while everyone else throws roasted soybeans at them while shouting:
“Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!”
“Demons out, fortune in!”
It’s meant to drive away bad luck and invite good fortune inside the home. And yes, it’s also an excuse to pelt dad with beans.
After that, people often eat the beans too, usually the number of beans matching their age, sometimes plus one for extra luck.
Eating Ehōmaki Sushi Rolls
Ehōmaki is a thick sushi roll eaten during Setsubun. People eat it while facing a specific lucky direction for that year (called the ehō), and the traditional rule is you eat it quietly without talking, making a wish in your head. The ehō or lucky direction for 2026 is South-South-East.
You’ll see ehōmaki everywhere in Japan in late January and early February, from convenience stores to department store basements.
Shrine and Temple Events
Many shrines and temples hold Setsubun festivals where celebrities, sumo wrestlers, actors, or local community figures throw beans into the crowd. People show up hoping to catch them for luck.
If you’re visiting Japan around Setsubun, these events can be surprisingly fun. It’s festive, noisy, and packed with people.
Oni Appearances in Public Events
Some schools and community centers stage oni visits for kids. The oni “invade,” kids scream, adults laugh, beans fly, chaos happens, and then everyone calms down and eats snacks.
It’s basically a cultural jump scare followed by good luck.
Is Setsubun a National Holiday in Japan?
No, Setsubun is 不 a national public holiday.
People still celebrate it widely, though, especially families with kids, schools, and local communities.
